Efficient wheel

ABSTRACT

An electrical passenger car, the car including: an electrically driven motor; and wheels, where the wheels include a first wheel, a second wheel, a third wheel, and a fourth wheel, where the first wheel and the second wheel have a radius 20 percent larger than the third wheel and the fourth wheel, where the electrical passenger car includes a total weight, where the electrical passenger car includes a center of gravity designed so that greater than 50% of said total weight will be over the first wheel and the second wheel, and where the electrical passenger car is designed to travel for a greater distance for the same axial to wheel friction energy loss than a passenger car having wheels of a smaller radius.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

This application relates to the general field of automotive design, function and ornamentation.

2. Discussion of Background Art

Automotive designs have included wheels for many years with little regard for fuel efficiency. However, as the global oil resources become consumed, and political factors continue to make gasoline pricing high, there is a need for a more efficient automobile. There is a need for a more fuel efficient design of the wheel.

SUMMARY

The invention may be directed to automotive wheel design, generally for passenger cars.

In one aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; and wheels with a radius larger than 90 cm.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; and wheels with a radius larger than 90 cm, electrical steering, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel and a second wheel, and wherein said electrical steering comprises independently controlling a first speed.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; and wheels with a radius larger than 90 cm, wherein at least one of said wheels comprises a wave shape profile.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; and wheels with a radius larger than 90 cm, wherein said car comprises at least one hybrid driving system.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; and wheels with a radius larger than 90 cm, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel, a second wheel, a third wheel, and a fourth wheel, and wherein said first wheel and said second wheel have a radius 20 percent larger than said third wheel and said fourth wheel

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; and wheels with a radius larger than 90 cm, wherein at least one of said wheels has a radius that is at least three times larger than its width.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; wheels; and electrical steering, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel and a second wheel, and wherein said electrical steering comprises independently controlling a first speed of said first wheel and independently controlling a second speed of said second wheel.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; wheels; and electrical steering, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel and a second wheel, and wherein said electrical steering comprises independently controlling a first speed of said first wheel and independently controlling a second speed of said second wheel, wherein at least one of said wheels has a radius larger than 90 cm.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; wheels; and electrical steering, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel and a second wheel, and wherein said electrical steering comprises independently controlling a first speed of said first wheel and independently controlling a second speed of said second wheel, wherein at least one of said wheels has a wave shape profile.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; wheels; and electrical steering, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel and a second wheel, and wherein said electrical steering comprises independently controlling a first speed of said first wheel and independently controlling a second speed of said second wheel, wherein said car comprises at least one hybrid driving system.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; wheels; and electrical steering, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel and a second wheel, and wherein said electrical steering comprises independently controlling a first speed of said first wheel and independently controlling a second speed of said second wheel, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel, a second wheel, a third wheel, and a fourth wheel, and wherein said first wheel and said second wheel have a radius 20 percent larger than said third wheel and said fourth wheel.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; wheels; and electrical steering, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel and a second wheel, and wherein said electrical steering comprises independently controlling a first speed of said first wheel and independently controlling a second speed of said second wheel, wherein at least one of said wheels has a radius that is at least three times larger than its width.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; wheels, wherein at least one of said wheels has a wave shape profile.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; wheels, wherein at least one of said wheels has a wave shape profile, wherein at least one of said wheels has a radius larger than 90 cm.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; wheels, wherein at least one of said wheels has a wave shape profile, electrical steering, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel and a second wheel, and wherein said electrical steering comprises independently controlling a first speed of said first wheel and independently controlling a second speed of said second wheel.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; wheels, wherein at least one of said wheels has a wave shape profile, wherein said car comprises at least one hybrid driving system.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; wheels, wherein at least one of said wheels has a wave shape profile, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel, a second wheel, a third wheel, and a fourth wheel, and wherein said first wheel and said second wheel have a radius 20 percent larger than said third wheel and said fourth wheel.

In another aspect, an electrical family car, comprising: an electrically driven motor; wheels, wherein at least one of said wheels has a wave shape profile, wherein at least one of said wheels has a radius that is at least three times larger than its width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary drawing illustration of a left side view of efficient wheels on a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary drawing illustration of a right side view of efficient wheels on a vehicle;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary drawing illustration of a bottom view of efficient wheels on a vehicle;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary drawing illustration of a top view of efficient wheels on a vehicle;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary drawing illustration of a back view of efficient wheels on a vehicle;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary drawing illustration of a front view of efficient wheels on a vehicle;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary drawing illustration of a left side view of efficient wheels on a vehicle depicting measures;

FIG. 8 is an additional exemplary drawing illustration of a left side view of efficient wheels on a vehicle depicting measures;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary drawing illustration of a bottom side view of efficient wheels on a vehicle depicting measures;

FIG. 10 is an additional exemplary drawing illustration of a left side view of efficient wheels on a vehicle depicting measures;

FIG. 11A is an exemplary drawing illustration of a bottom view of conventional profile wheels on a vehicle;

FIG. 11B is an exemplary drawing illustration of a bottom view of novel profile wheels on a vehicle;

FIG. 12A is an exemplary drawing illustration of a side view of wheels on a vehicle; and

FIG. 12B is an additional exemplary drawing illustration of a side view of efficient wheels on a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to the drawing figures. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the description and figures illustrate rather than limit the invention and that in general the figures are not drawn to scale for clarity of presentation. Such skilled persons will also realize that many more embodiments are possible by applying the inventive principles contained herein and that such embodiments fall within the scope of the invention which is not to be limited except by the appended claims.

Currently electric motor driven cars, either as hybrid or full electric vehicles, are becoming popular. In such cars one of the dominating energy losses is directly related to the car axial to wheel friction. The car efficiency could therefore be increased by increasing the car wheel diameter which could yield a larger traveling distance (about ad) for the same axial to wheel friction related energy loss. This is especially applicable for the common passenger car which is designed to operate on paved roads. Accordingly it could be desired to have the car efficient wheel diameter at least about 20% larger than the average wheel diameter of similar sized common passenger cars, or even greater than about 40%, or greater than about 60%, or greater than about 80% or even more than double the size of a common passenger car designed to operate on a paved road, such as, for example, highways or common streets.

A very large wheel diameter could make the design of the car more challenging, for example, for the front wheels which need room for steering. In the following some alternatives are presented to help overcome this challenge. One alternative it to use differential wheel speed as an alternative to mechanical steering. Another alternative is to have regular wheels for the front using conventional mechanical steering and having the large wheels only for the rear wheels. For the equal wheel size to be even more effective, the car could be designed so the rear wheels will carry a bigger portion of the car weight. Preferably 60% of the car weight or 70% or even more than 75% of the car weight. Computer control of the traction, braking and turning may be needed to ensure stability during turns and braking. As well, rear wheel assisted turning may need to be provided.

Many electric motor cars use more than a single motor to drive the car. In many of these vehicles the car steering could leverage the electronic control of the wheel speed. Such speed and wheel controlled steering could assist the use of very large wheels, thus increasing the overall car traveling distance per the same energy use.

Some drawing figures may describe various views of the invention or portions of the invention. These views may have many structures, numerals and labels that may be common between two or more adjacent drawings. In such cases, some labels, numerals and structures used for a certain view's figure may have been described in the previous views' figures.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a left side view of efficient wheels on a vehicle, may include a front left efficient wheel 100, a rear left efficient wheel 101, and a vehicle 199. Vehicle 199 may also include a vehicle front 198. In this document, wheels may include the tire.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a right side view of efficient wheels on a vehicle, may include a front right efficient wheel 203, a rear right efficient wheel 204, and a vehicle 299. Vehicle 299 may also include a vehicle front 298.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a bottom view of efficient wheels on a vehicle, may include a front left efficient wheel 300, a rear left efficient wheel 301, a front right efficient wheel 303, a rear right efficient wheel 304, and a vehicle 399. Vehicle 399 may also include a vehicle front 398 and wheel axles 395.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a top view of efficient wheels on a vehicle, may include a front left fender 410, a rear left fender 411, a front right fender 413, a rear right fender 414, and a vehicle 499. Vehicle 499 may also include a vehicle front 498. Front left fender 410, a rear left fender 411, a front right fender 413, a rear right fender 414 may cover their respective efficient wheels referenced in the Figures herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a rear view of efficient wheels on a vehicle, may include a rear left efficient wheel 501, a rear right efficient wheel 504, and a vehicle 599. In this view, fenders or the body design of car 599 may only cover a small portion of the rear left efficient wheel 501 and rear right efficient wheel 504.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a front view of efficient wheels on a vehicle, may include a front left efficient wheel 601, a front right efficient wheel 603, a front left fender 610, a front right fender 613, and a vehicle 599. In this view, fenders such as front left fender 610 and front right fender 613 of car 599 may cover a portion of the front left efficient wheel 501 and front right efficient wheel 504 respectively. The fenders of the car may also completely cover the efficient wheels of the car.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a left side view of efficient wheels on a vehicle, may include a front left efficient wheel 700, a rear left efficient wheel 701, a front passenger door 740, a rear passenger door 750, and a vehicle 799. Vehicle 799 may also include a vehicle front 798. Front passenger door 740 may have front passenger door width 741, which may be defined as the distance from the lock point to the axial door line. Similarly, rear passenger door 750 may have a rear passenger door width, similarly defined (not shown for drawing clarity). Efficient wheels may have a diameter, for example, rear left efficient wheel 701 may have wheel diameter 746. Efficient wheel diameter 746 may be equal to or greater than the length of the larger of the front or rear door side size of a consumer passenger car. For example, efficient wheel diameter 746 may be equal to or greater than front passenger door width 741.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a left side view of efficient wheels on a vehicle, may include a front left efficient wheel 800, a rear left efficient wheel 801, front passenger door 840, a rear passenger door 850, and a vehicle 899. Vehicle 899 may also include a vehicle front 898. Front passenger door 840 may have front passenger door height 842, which may be defined as the distance from the front door bottom line to the beginning of the window line. Similarly, rear passenger door 850 may have a rear passenger door height, similarly defined (not shown for drawing clarity). Efficient wheels may have a diameter, for example, rear left efficient wheel 801 may have efficient wheel diameter 846. Efficient wheel diameter 846 may be equal to or greater than the length of the larger of the front or rear door height of a consumer passenger car. For example, efficient wheel diameter 846 may be equal to or greater than front passenger door height 842.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, a bottom view of efficient wheels on a vehicle, may include a front left efficient wheel 900, a rear left efficient wheel 901, a front right efficient wheel 903, a rear right efficient wheel 904, and a vehicle 999. Vehicle 999 may also include a vehicle front 998 and wheel axles 995. Efficient wheels may have a width, for example, front left efficient wheel 900 and rear left efficient wheel 901 may have wheel width 960. Efficient wheels may have a wheel width larger than about 12 cm, or about 13 cm, or about 14 cm, or about 15 cm, or about 16 cm. For example, wheel width 960 may be greater than about 12 cm, or about 13 cm, or about 14 cm, or about 15 cm, or about 16 cm.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, a left side view of efficient wheels on a vehicle, may include a front left efficient wheel 1000, a rear left efficient wheel 1001, front passenger door 1040, a rear passenger door 1050, and a vehicle 1099. Vehicle 1099 may also include a vehicle front 1098. Efficient wheels may have a diameter, for example, rear left efficient wheel 1001 may have efficient wheel diameter 1046. Fenders may have a wheel cover spacing 1062, which may be defined as the distance from the top of the wheel, for example front left efficient wheel 1000, to the bottom of the associated fender/wheel cover car body at the very top of the wheel. Similarly, wheel cover spacing 1062 may be defined utilizing the rear wheel(s) and the rear fender(s) (not shown for drawing clarity). Wheel cover spacing may be smaller than about 15%, or smaller than about 20%, or smaller than about 25%, or smaller than about 10% of the efficient wheel diameter. For example, wheel cover spacing 1062 may be smaller than about 15%, or smaller than about 20%, or smaller than about 25%, or smaller than about 10% of efficient wheel diameter 1046.

Another aspect of such a large wheeled car relates to steering alternatives. The most common car steering is achieved by steering the wheels forming an angle between the front wheel direction and the remainder of the car; the car and the back wheel direction. For a large wheel (efficient wheel) as has been described herein this would require a large space ‘under the hood’. An inventive embodiment herein is to provide for a different speed between the wheels to steer the car. Similar techniques are used with tanks and some other heavy equipment. In many electric cars there are multiple drive motors and in some cases those drive motors may be embedded in the wheel. In such a car the differential car steering could be done by electrical control saving the need for steering mechanics. Such could reduce mechanics parts, car weight, and increase car steering capability especially at very low speed when one wheel could be held substantially still or close to still, and only the other wheel is rotating achieving extremely small turning radius. The other wheel could be on the same axle, or may be on a different axle than the held wheel.

Another alternative relates to the wheel profile. Conventional cars, for example such as consumer passenger cars, may use wheels with a very simple profile as is illustrated in FIG. 11A, which is a view from the bottom of the car. Conventionally profiled wheels 1101 may have a substantially rectangular profile when viewed from below, and car 1199 may include 4 conventionally profiled wheels 1101.

For a very large wheel an alternative is to use a shape profile as illustrated in FIG. 11B, which is a view from the bottom of the car. Such wheels could be lighter yet with very good road grabbing and lower sticking. Novel profiled wheels 1103 may have a substantially novel profile when viewed from below, and car 1199 may include 4 novel profiled wheels 1103. Car 1199 may include a combination of conventionally and novel profiled wheels (not shown).

FIG. 12A illustrates a conventional sports car with all wheels having substantially the same size. Another alternative is to have the front wheel and the back wheel different sizes as illustrated in FIG. 12B, which is the car fitted with large wheels and uneven sizes. Some cars may have the weight unevenly spread between the front wheel and the back; thus, it could be preferred to have a very large wheel for the heavy side and smaller wheels for the lighter side. Such a larger wheel could have more than about 5% or more than about 10% or more than about 20% larger diameter than the small wheel.

It will also be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. For example, drawings or illustrations may not show details of automobile construction or design for clarity in illustration. Further, combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove may be utilized. Rather, the scope of the invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations which would occur to such skilled persons upon reading the foregoing description. 

1. An electrical passenger car, the electrical passenger car comprising: an electrically driven motor; and wheels, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel, a second wheel, a third wheel, and a fourth wheel, wherein said first wheel and said second wheel have a radius 20 percent larger than said third wheel and said fourth wheel, wherein said electrical passenger car comprises a total weight, wherein said electrical passenger car comprises a center of gravity designed so that greater than 50% of said total weight will be over said first wheel and said second wheel, and wherein said electrical passenger car is designed to travel for a greater distance for the same axial to wheel friction energy loss than a passenger car having wheels of a smaller radius.
 2. The electrical passenger car according to claim 1, further comprising: electrical steering, wherein said electrical steering comprises independently controlling a first speed of said first wheel and independently controlling a second speed of said second wheel.
 3. The electrical passenger car according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said wheels comprises a wave shape profile, and wherein said at least one of said wheels comprises at least a portion of wheel contact with a road being solely diagonal with respect to the driving direction of the car.
 4. The electrical passenger car according to claim 1, wherein said car comprises at least one non-electric motor.
 5. The electrical passenger car according to claim 1, wherein said first wheel and said second wheel have a radius larger than 90 cm.
 6. The electrical passenger car according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said wheels has a radius which is at least three times larger than its width.
 7. An electrical passenger car, the electrical passenger car comprising: an electrically driven motor; wheels; and electrical steering, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel and a second wheel, wherein said electrical steering comprises independently controlling a first speed of said first wheel and independently controlling a second speed of said second wheel, and wherein said passenger car is designed to travel for a greater distance for the same axial to wheel friction energy loss than a passenger car having wheels of a smaller radius.
 8. The electrical passenger car according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said wheels has a radius larger than 90 cm.
 9. The electrical passenger car according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said wheels has a wave shape profile, wherein said at least one of said wheels comprises at least a portion of wheel contact with a road being solely diagonal with respect to the driving direction of the car.
 10. The electrical passenger car according to claim 7, wherein said car comprises at least one non-electric motor.
 11. The electrical passenger car according to claim 7, wherein said wheels also comprise a third wheel, and a fourth wheel, and wherein said first wheel and said second wheel have a radius at least 20 percent greater than said third wheel and said fourth wheel.
 12. The electrical passenger car according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said wheels has a radius that is at least three times larger than its width.
 13. The electrical passenger car according to claim 7, wherein said car is designed to drive on a paved road.
 14. An electrical passenger car, the electrical passenger car comprising: an electrically driven motor; and wheels, wherein at least one of said wheels has a wave shape profile, wherein said at least one of said wheels comprises at least a portion of wheel contact with a road being solely diagonal with respect to the driving direction of the car, and wherein at least one of said wheels has a radius larger than 90 cm.
 15. The electrical passenger car according to claim 14, further comprising: electrical steering, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel and a second wheel, and wherein said electrical steering comprises independently controlling a first speed of said first wheel and independently controlling a second speed of said second wheel.
 16. The electrical passenger car according to claim 14, wherein said car comprises at least one non-electric motor.
 17. The electrical passenger car according to claim 14, wherein said wheels comprise a first wheel, a second wheel, a third wheel, and a fourth wheel, and wherein said first wheel and said second wheel have a radius at least 20 percent greater than said third wheel and said fourth wheel.
 18. The electrical passenger car according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said wheels has a radius that is at least three times larger than its width.
 19. The electrical passenger car according to claim 14, wherein said electrical passenger car is designed to operate efficiently on a paved road, wherein said designed to operate efficiently comprises said electrical passenger car comprising a wheel diameter which is at least 20% greater than the average wheel diameter of similar sized passenger cars.
 20. The electrical passenger car according to claim 14, wherein said passenger car is designed to travel for a greater distance for the same axial to wheel friction energy loss than a passenger car having wheels of a smaller radius. 